Pumpkin Snowflake Varsity Coat: Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
The Pumpkin Snowflake Varsity Coat is a boxy, oversized men's coat built from 48 solid granny squares, each one finished with three neon rings that read like a snowflake glowing against pumpkin orange. It's written for advanced beginners who are comfortable with double and single crochet and want a garment that looks far more complicated than it is. The dark brown ribbed hem, cuffs and front bands give it a sporty varsity feel, while the wool fabric is warm, light and surprisingly drapey. Wear it open over a hoodie or buttoned up on a cold morning — either way, it's a statement piece you made square by square.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Fingering weight (4-ply) wool, e.g. Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight (100% wool, 125 yds/25 g) or similar.
- Color A (pumpkin orange): 8 balls / approx. 1000 yds
- Color B (neon yellow): 2 balls / approx. 250 yds
- Color C (neon pink): 1 ball / approx. 125 yds
- Color D (dark brown): 2 balls / approx. 250 yds
- Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, 5 buttons (approx. 2 cm/¾ in) or snap fasteners, blocking mats and pins
- Finished size: Chest circumference 120 cm (47 in), length 70 cm (27.5 in), sleeve length from shoulder 62 cm (24.5 in). Fits chest 96–106 cm (38–42 in) with 14–24 cm positive ease.
Abbreviations
- ch — chain
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- dc — double crochet
- sp — space
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- rep — repeat
- BLO — back loop only (work into the loop farthest from you)
Gauge
One solid granny square measures 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in) after blocking, using the 3.5 mm hook. Work one square through Round 7, block it, and measure — if it's larger, go down a hook size; if smaller, go up.
Tips Before You Start
- Make one square first. Block it and check the 10 cm measurement before you commit to all 48 — every square must match or the panels won't line up.
- Keep your tension even on the sc rings. Rounds 5–7 add bulk at the corners; if your corners pull tight, the squares will cup. Ease the (sc, ch 2, sc) corner stitches gently.
- Weave in ends as you go. Each square has four color changes — that's a lot of tails. Secure them before joining so they don't work loose in the seams.
- Label your squares. Stack them in groups of six as you finish so assembly stays quick and you never run short of one color ring.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Snowflake Granny Square (make 48)
R1: With A, ch 4, join with sl st to form ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, [ch 2, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).
R2: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (24 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 4 ch-1 sps).
R3: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (36 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 8 ch-1 sps).
R4: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *[ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp] twice, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (48 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 12 ch-1 sps). Fasten off A.
R5 (snowflake ring): Join B with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, *sc in each dc and ch-1 sp across to next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc (52 sc, 4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off B.
R6: Join C with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, *sc in each sc across to next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc (60 sc, 4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off C.
R7: Join D with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, *sc in each sc across to next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc (68 sc, 4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off D.
Block all squares to 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in).
Assembly of Panels
Arrange squares in a grid: Back: 6 squares wide x 7 squares high. Fronts: 3 squares wide x 7 squares high each. Sleeves: 3 squares wide x 6 squares high each.
Join squares with D using sc seams (or whipstitch) through back loops, matching edges.
Shoulders: Place front panels on either side of the back, leaving the center 4 squares open for the neck opening; seam the shoulder edges.
Side seams: Place fronts on back, seam sides from hem to armhole, leaving the top 2 squares open for armholes.
Sleeves: Fold each sleeve piece in half lengthwise, seam the underarm, then set into the armholes, easing to fit; seam sleeve to body.
Hem Ribbing
Row 1: With D, join at bottom edge, ch 1, sc evenly around entire hem (approx. 120 sc).
Rows 2–8: Ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across (approx. 120 sc). Fasten off.
Cuff Ribbing (make 2)
Row 1: With D, join at sleeve edge, ch 1, sc evenly around (approx. 30 sc).
Rows 2–8: Ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across (approx. 30 sc). Fasten off. Repeat for second cuff.
Front Bands
Row 1: With D, join at right front corner, ch 1, sc evenly up right front, around neck, down left front (approx. 200 sc).
Rows 2–4: Ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across (approx. 200 sc). Fasten off.
Sew 5 buttons evenly spaced on the left front band, with corresponding buttonholes on the right band (or use snap fasteners).
Pockets (make 2)
Row 1: With A, ch 17, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (16 sc).
Rows 2–16: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (16 sc). Fasten off.
Border: Join D, sc evenly around entire pocket. Fasten off.
Sew pockets to front panels, centered on squares 2–3 from the bottom, 5 cm from the side seam.
Assembly and Finishing
Seam all squares with D through back loops, matching corner to corner and keeping the seams flat and even. Join shoulders first, then side seams, then set in the sleeves, easing any fullness into the armhole. Weave in every end on the wrong side, threading tails through a few stitches so they don't work loose. Block the finished coat by misting it and pinning it to the finished measurements (chest 120 cm/47 in, length 70 cm/27.5 in, sleeve 62 cm/24.5 in); let it dry fully before removing pins. Finally, sew on the buttons or snap fasteners and press the front bands lightly under a damp cloth.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Change the palette: Swap the neon rings for tonal shades of the same pumpkin for a quieter, more classic coat — the construction stays identical.
- Add a lining: Cut and sew a simple fabric lining to the inside of the body for extra warmth and to hide the seam allowances.
- Make it a cardigan: Work the fronts 3 squares wide but stop the front bands at the neck and skip the buttons for an open, slouchy cardigan version.
